Report: Star Wine Director Belinda Chang In at Monkey Bar

On Mouthing Off, Kate Krader shares the news that some changes are afoot at the Graydon Carter–owned Monkey Bar, the storied and lacquered restaurant not exactly known for its food. (Our own New York Magazine called the cooking “D-grade.”) The first change: Belinda Chang — who won the Outstanding Wine Service Award from the James Beard Foundation this spring for her work at the Modern — has joined Monkey Bar as wine director and general manager. “We’re going to turn things around,” she tells Krader, “the wine list, everything, is going to be super fun.” Chang discusses plans to bring on lots of magnums of wine, and she’ll also hand-pick special by-the-glass wines for specific celebrities. Hence, Lady Gage will be served a “crazy Italian spumante,” perhaps one that’s “nutty and voluptuous and decadent.” The report also says a “notable chef” will be joining Monkey Bar “sometime soon.” [Mouthing Off/F&W;, Earlier]